Lockdown: Changes to public transport, health services and Covid-testing in Otago
Otago, along with the rest of New Zealand, has entered level 4 lockdown which means closing of public facilities, changes to health services, and limiting of public transport.
Healthcare facilities across the Southern DHB will remain open during lockdown, but the majority of scheduled surgeries and outpatient appointments have been postponed for the next three days.
The Covid-19 vaccination programme has been suspended for the next 48 hours, however those with potential symptoms were urged to contact their GP or call 0800 VIRUS-19 (0800 847 8719).
There was capacity for testing and opening of more testing sites if required.
However, those with symptoms were urged not to attend the Emergency Department.
Aurora Energy advised that it would continue to respond to emergency faults and carry out essential safety work on the network during level 4.
There will however be no planned power outages, unless required for essential safety work. Pre-planned work on the network will be deferred until the alert level changes.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council has closed all service centres, sport and recreation facilities, playgrounds and libraries until further notice.
The main council phone line is operating on (03) 441 0499 with priority given to urgent issues.
Queenstown buses are running to the usual timetable on Wednesday but are for essential workers and essential travel only.
Covid-19 testing is available at Queenstown Medical Centre at the Isle St practice.
People are asked to book ahead for swabs on (03) 441 0500.
Anyone who has been in Auckland or Coromandel since last Thursday, August 12, who needs a Covid-19 test will need to remain outside the Isle St building and follow staff/signage instructions.
Poll: Would you rather: Christmas in summer forever or winter forever?
Just a bit of a fun poll to get you thinking.
If you had to live out your Christmas days, would you prefer it was a summer Christmas or a winter Christmas?
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62.1% Summer
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36.2% Winter
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1.7% Other - I'll share below
⚠️ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. ⚠️
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
👉 The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes.
👉 Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
👉 This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
👉 It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you ❤️
Would you like a free copy of our February 2025 issue?
Kia ora neighbours. We give away free copies to readers whose recipes are used in our magazine. We're still on the hunt for tomato recipes, so send your family's favourite way to use up your homegrown harvest, to: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. If we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of the mag
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